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One thing that has always puzzled me as a F1 fan is how people would definitively rate Ayrton Senna as the greatest driver of all time. People would dismiss the likes of Fangio & Clark in favour of him when I really don't see what was so endearing about him. He was extemely ruthless on the track, pulling off dangerous moves, defences and ramming Prost off in Suzuka was poor form considering the fallible safety during the era, he lacked the mentality of a true champion, too moody and not willing to stick to a "project" like Alonso and Schumacher have done and his driving abilities, IMO, did not match Fangio/Prost/Alonso/Schumacher/Clark over a full race distance.
He lacked the loyalty of Schumacher, always switching to the strongest team as opposed to taking on a challenge, he lacked the finesse of Clark and he lacked the mentality to take to these drivers because he was so temperamental.
And versus Alain Prost? He was beaten by a 34yo Prost whilst he was at his peak and was nearly beaten by him again in '90 whilst Alain was in an inferior car AND whilst Alain destroyed Mansell.
How much of his ranking is due to the "Senna mystery" and his death rather than his actual abilities. One of the all time greats? For sure, but better than the likes of Clark, Fangio & Schumacher? Stretching it IMO.
